1946 HRG Aerodynamic Options

[zagato]

Hello playmates. Here's another offering, but from a slightly earlier era than usual, for me at least. The model is commonly known as a Hurg I believe and the original cast was made by that well known Welshman, Tom Wysom. Tom lives in Canada now, but apparently he's over here at the moment, but seems to have got lost! Anyway, Tom did a cast for himself and after me expressing an interest, he kindly sent me the original master and the mould, with the strict instruction "do what the bloody hell you want with it!. In a Welsh accent of course.
Story has it that these things were more expensive than Aston Martins in their day, although my knowledge of the marque is pretty much nil. Thirty five Aerodynamics were built and they did actually run at Le Mans in 1947. The guy who drove that particular car, Mr Ron Goodearl, I believe is still alive to tell the tale. How it faired, I have no idea. What I found fascinating about it is the fact that it is aerodynamic and from a period when they weren't! The shape is interesting and I thought it would make a worthy subject. One area that is giving me cause for concern, and the majorty of you know what a fussy sod I am, is the front wing ends where they meet the valance. The first shot shows the master as it arrived from Tom. The wing bottoms are obviously very rounded as is part of the valance.



The second shot is of the real car at a club meeting at Silverstone in 1958, driven by Ron Goodearl. The wing ends are clearly square or squarish. Now this is no reflection on Tom as I think the original model was actually made by SMEC, although I havn't been able to confirm this. What I need to know is, are those wing ends rounded or square?



I have done a certain amount of modifying already, but there's still plenty to do. The shut lines need filling and re-cutting and the louvres have lost their crispness and need remaking.Oh and some quite fine seams along the tops of the wings. All in all a lovely unusual model that deserves to be seen. If anyone can throw any light on it, not just the wings, i'd be very pleased to hear from you.
Finally, for all of you who havn't seen Toms blog, I suggest you have a look. It's terrific! www.slottysalad.blogspot.com
The bottom photo shows how the master stands at the moment.

Graham.

[PeterSussex]

Hi Graham.

Very nice, but a few observations.

The (middle) picture of the original 1:1 car definately shows a horizontal line to the bottom of the front wings, with a step down to the bottom edge of the front shroud. It also appears that the front end curves in towards to bottom far more than the present model suggests.

Is this middle photo of a production model as sols, or a modified one. Probably reliable.

Does the tail curve in a little more behind the wheel?

Alas, most pictures are of the front end, rather than tail end shots. It applies to all cars.

Peter

[zagato]

Hi Peter. I'm not at all sure at all of the shape of this one and photographic reference material seems very thin on the ground. Tom seems to have got all there is on the subject on his blog, but the majority of pictures show it in a very sorry state. ie in bits. I think you're right about the straight line under the front valence, but i'm not totally convinced about the step down. It's in shadow so it's not that clear. It could be a sump guard.
As we know obtaining relaible reference material is vital to getting it right, and as ever I just don't know if the shot of the fullsize car is "as is" or if it's been rebuilt. As it's twelve years later than when it was built, it's anybodies guess. As it stands, it's not a bad representation, but of course as it's me, it needs to be as right as I can get it.

Graham.

PS, the wheels are totally wrong on this one. It's screaming out for some very skinny 16 inchers.

[Ember]

What a lovely little oddity you've found Graham. Looking forward to seeing you produce your magic once again.

Embs

[zagato]

Embs, don't hold yer breath!

G.

[Ember]

So noted Graham. But I can't see me going anywhere in a hurry.

[Rob J]

There are three 1940s photos of the Aero in the Profile Publications HRG booklet. I forget whether Tom has this on his blog. All suggest the front wings ended about wheel-centre level. As for the dark shape under the front in your photo, Graham, I'd go along with your sumpguard suggestion
One of the Profile Pub. photos is a good threequarter rear view, though it's of the prototype. Let me know if that's of any use.
Unfortunately the celebrated profile pictures in this case do not include the Aero.
Rob J

[couserslot]

Hi Graham
I have just checked my SMEC HRG kit and the blueprint shows the front valance as dead straight horizontaly except for a slight radius where it meets the verticle of the outside of the front wing ( I hope that makes sense ) if a copy of the plans would help please let me know
john

[Charles*Seattle]

HI

Really glad to see that the HRG may be available. A great subject. I will look at home, but I think beyond the Profile Publication and SMEC plans, I won't have much either.

Anyway great to have you two working together, so to speak, on this one!

all my very best,

Charles

[Ecurie Martini]

Stop!! - My "build" list already exceeds any reasonable actuarial prediction of my lifespan but, having driven a (classic) HRG once, an available body would become an imperative - BTW, the "ride" quality of the HRG made a Mog, in comparison, absolutely limousine-like.

Re the model vs photo - just one observation (using my eyeball micrometer) - the height/width ratio of the grill looks to be off, the parallel horizontal bits are too long and the angles of the sloped sections too steep resulting in a part that is too tall - and - the foreshortening of the lower section suggests some significant inward curvature at the bottom.

EM

[manitouguy]

hi all - nice to see all the interest in Tom's work - great guy!

Graham - looking forward to seeing what you do with it ... but be careful mind you ...
if you do as i think you will ... you might just have to save my frazer nash targa florio next

look forward to the progress - and if you do find Tom over there say hi for me!

cheers, Ron

i too will put this one on my radar and keep on look out for other photos in my books and mags as well

[scudbong]

Excellent subject Graham, it will be good to see one of Tom's bodies finished.

These pictures might be of use









Thanks,

Pete

[mac p]

Graham me old flower how the hell are you.
Iv found a few shots of the HRG, some are the same as on Tom,s blog
but the others may be of use.
Go into Google "images" type in "HRG cars" scroll down to page 9,
click on the second picture with the onlookers around it, click to bring up
the mail picture, behind this picture are some out of focus shots, delete
the main picture and you are left with 8 or 9 shots of the beast, they
could be of use.
Oh and by the way, the kettle has been on for around 3 weeks, i thought
you where popping round ????
Cheers
mac
Mac P

[zagato]

Morning chaps and thankyou for your input. From the photo's that Pete's uploaded it's plainly obvious that both a square front and a rounded version were built. One more can of worms opened!!

Graham.

[Ember]

Wouldn't be a GP Miniatures project without a wormcan sitting close by.